Now here’s a model public servant to look up to
“MINISTERIAL spokesman” is not a term generally synonymous with style, charisma and the looks of a model.
But the man employed to speak on behalf of Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has broken the mould.
Mayihlome Tshwete, 33, son of the late politician Steve Tshwete and Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister Pam Tshwete, is known for his sophisticated dress sense and legions of followers on social media.
He tweets dozens of times a day and his Instagram account is a treasure chest of glamorous social pictures. He is also a published poet. And Tshwete has caught the attention of the makers of Rémy Martin.
His picture is plastered across nine billboards in Gauteng and in several magazines as part of a campaign by the French premium cognac company.
In the campaign, he is dressed in his signature look (a tailored suit), holding a glass of cognac, and is described as “multitalented and multifaceted”.
Rémy Martin marketing manager Phil Voget said Tshwete, businessman Ludwick Marishane and actor Oros Mampofu were the perfect candidates for the campaign as they “each bring different world experience and passions”.
“Mayihlome is well known for his charm, lineage and abilities, but there is more to him than meets the eye,” said Voget.
The billboards are in Sandton, Hyde Park, Rosebank and at OR Tambo International Airport and list Tshwete’s abilities as a published poet, a jock, a rugby player and painter who considers himself an “idealist and activist for change”.
Tshwete insists he is no model and admits he was “reluctant to do the shoot” because of the criticism it might attract for seemingly “moonlighting and promoting alcohol”.
“The use of alcohol in the campaign was in conflict with my belief and advocacy against alcohol abuse in black commu- nities. But when the brand explained that this was supposed to inspire people to not be one thing and that people can be diverse, I figured why not?
“Some people believe that government employees should be robotic, lack personality and are a board that they can bounce things off, but we are human too,” said Tshwete.
Always dressed to the nines for his work appearances, Tshwete said he was a “minimalist” with a few suits and about 10 pairs of formal shoes.
He said he did not believe in buying expensive suits — his most expensive suit was one he had bought in London for R3 000. For the others, he was “all for the use of local tailors”.
“My dress sense is inspired by many people such as Steve Biko, Oliver Tambo and my boss.
“The trick is to have exactly what you want in your closet. I have suits in different colours and work with them.”
It is this exact look that often leaves women swooning and sending him messages of adoration on social media.
But to his 10 000 Instagram and almost 40 000 Twitter followers, Tshwete is just a man in love as he plans his wedding next month to Miss Teen 2006 Zizo Beda.
The pair have been dating for several years and are expecting their first child. Although he didn’t want to divulge much about his relationship, Tshwete spoke fondly of Beda in an interview with Gareth Cliff a few months ago, saying she “has all the power”.
“I’m just tagging along; my career is being held by her. It’s like the Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston situation,” he said.
“We are getting married in December in the Eastern Cape; we’re doing it right.”
It is this exact look that often leaves women swooning